Dear Friends and Supporters,
As the year draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2024 and share some of the incredible progress Tokyo Repertory Singers (TRS) has made over the past year. While it’s been some time since our last update, I’m thrilled to say that TRS is not only alive but thriving!
A Year of Change and Growth
2024 was a year of transition and rebuilding for TRS. Following our 2023 concert, some members stepped away to focus on family and professional pursuits. At the same time, we welcomed many new faces into the group—talented individuals whose fresh perspectives have allowed us to explore new opportunities and continue shaping TRS into a uniquely diverse and dynamic ensemble.
Celebrating Diversity Through Music
This year, we set out to highlight the incredible cultural diversity within our choir by performing music in the languages of our members’ home countries. Our 2024 repertoire included pieces in isiXhosa (South Africa), Chinese, Dutch, and Spanish (Latin America), showcasing the rich heritage of our singers and the universal power of music.
Some of the year’s highlights included:
Indodana
Traditional isiXhosa
Music by Michael Barrett and Ralf Schmitt
Zeya Collection
III. Xishao (The Last of the Summer Sun)
Music by Chengzhi Jin
(Japan premiere at Japan Vocal Music Festival - Yokohama International Choral Festival, August 25, 2024)
Maria die soude naar Bethleem gaan
Traditional Dutch
Arranged by Louis Toebosch
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue this journey with new projects, including Un Águila en las Estrellas, a setting of words by Elena Ortíz Muñiz to music by Julio Morales.
In 2025, we plan to add songs in Tagalog and other languages to our repertoire.
Performance Highlights
While we chose not to participate in the 2024 Tokyo Spring Chorus Contest (Harukon), we took the stage at the Tokyo Choral Festival and the inaugural Japan Vocal Music Festival (Uta-Fes) in Yokohama. The response from audiences and judges was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with the broader choral community through these events.
Building a Stronger Community
One of our primary goals for 2024 was to strengthen the sense of community within TRS. As a group founded during the pandemic, many of our interactions outside of rehearsals had been limited. This year, members organized picnics, meals, karaoke nights, and even a holiday party—activities that have brought us closer together and created lasting memories.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we close this chapter, I am deeply proud of all we have achieved in 2024. It has been a year of growth, learning, and connection. Looking ahead, we’re eager to welcome new members and embark on new musical adventures in 2025.
If you’re in the Tokyo area and interested in joining TRS—whether as a singer or as part of our growing community—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to meet you and share in the joy of music together.
Wishing you all a wonderful end to the year and a bright start to 2025!
Warm regards,
Brian Munguia
Tokyo Repertory Singers